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Are you ready? It’s time for our weekly care package giveaway question!

All first and second semester students are eligible to win a care package – just post an answer to the following question in the comments before 11:59 p.m. TONIGHT to be included in the drawing for this week’s care package. The winner will be chosen randomly from all of the respondents tomorrow morning. Got it? Good!

If you could share a meal with anyone from any period in history, who would you choose?

Looking for a place to study that isn’t the library? How about a place where you can satisfy your midnight snack cravings for free? Check out the Prescott Tavern! The Tavern offers a combination late-night study space, as well as activities such as foosball, pool, and board games. The Tavern is also home to the TavernArt gallery, a student gallery, that one can exhibit in by contacting the coordinators at tavernart@hampshire.edu. Prescott Tavern is open from 8 p.m.- 1 a.m., Monday through Thursday, 8-11 p.m. on Friday, and 3 p.m.-1 a.m. on Sunday.

The Tavern also offers weekly programming for when you need a break from your work, including film screenings, open mic nights, and free food! Wondering what’s going on this semester? Check out these Great Reasons to visit the Prescott Tavern!

Have questions about the Tavern? Email them at tavern@hampshire.edu. We hope to see you there soon!

Having trouble speaking up in class? Want to learn more about classroom dynamics? On Thursday, February 19 from 3:30-4:30 p.m., two peer mentors from the Transformative Speaking Program (Brittany and Ben!) set out to explore these issues with an audience of enthusiastic participants. Interested in getting an overview of what happened at this workshop and what resources were introduced? Read on!

What Happened:

After some warm-up activities to get conversation flowing, the facilitators asked students to identify what factors would contribute to their ideal environment for class discussion. Small class size, validation from peers and professors, sitting in a circle, active listening, and participants stepping up and stepping back emerged as common themes. Perhaps these ring true for you too! The facilitators then laid out a number of scenarios in which class discussion could be impeded, and encouraged conversation about how best to approach these issues.

Talking in class can feel intimidating and hard sometimes. That’s okay! Everyone in the class has a responsibility to help create the discussion together. You’re all collaborating.

Guide the discussion, don’t dominate it
If you’re someone who does talk a lot in class, you can keep people focused and make sure the discussion is going in a good direction. This doesn’t mean you have to talk all the time! Make relevant contributions and step back for other people to talk.

Reflect back what other people are saying to help the flow
Starting a response with something like “What I’m hearing people say is…” can be helpful in focusing the discussing and bringing ideas together. If you’re having trouble coming up with something to say, building off what someone else has to say is a good start. You can also help others speak more this way, directing your comments towards them!

Write your thoughts down
It can feel easier to speak in class when you know you have something to say — this can range from writing down notes and questions you want to bring up to referencing Moodle posts. If you have a good thought in class, don’t be afraid to write it down before you say it — sometimes seeing it written can make you feel more confident.

Silences are okay!
Sometimes silences are awkward and it can feel like no one is going to talk. Other times it may just be because people are thinking. Read the vibes of the room! Check body language and look at where people are looking. If you’re someone that feels comfortable talking, this can be a time for you to step back. Professors are looking for any comment to keep the discussion going, so don’t feel pressured to say the *perfect* thing.

Actively listen
Nod when people are talking, direct body language towards them, look engaged. Not only does this help the confidence of the speaker, but this can also be where you can indicate that you have something to say. Show that you’re engaged in what they’re saying and chances are they’ll be more engaged too!

Get In Touch:
Want to connect with the Transformative Speaking Peer Mentors? Check out the Transformative Speaking Program website for information, and like their Facebook page for details on office hours at the InfoBar. You can also join their Moodle page for lots of great tips on a variety of different speaking topics.

Have questions? Need more information? Contact us at newtohamp@hampshire.edu. We’re happy to help!

Thinking of applying to be an orientation leader, but feeling unsure about making the commitment? Have you started your application, but get so excited every time you think about orientation that you can’t keep your mind on anything else? Great news:

You’ve come to the right place!

We asked current and past orientation leaders to compile a top ten list to describe the experiences they’ve had with the new student orientation program, to give you a better idea of what you can expect as a member of the orientation staff. They think you should apply to be a leader, and so do we! Here’s why:

10. Campus resources! As an Orientation Leader, you’ll likely learn more about the Hampshire campus and campus resources than you have in your first year at Hampshire. A big part of orientation training is learning about these resources so that you can be more informed when working with new first-year and transfer students. The information you receive preparing for orientation will undoubtedly benefit you as you continue to navigate your Hampshire experience, and you’ll be super helpful to your orientees.

9. Skills! The skills you’ll learn in orientation training will be useful to you beyond orientation. The leadership skills that you’ll acquire through being an orientation leader will help you to make a positive impact in your community, on and off campus. You’ll also gain facilitation skills by working with your co-leader and your orientation group. You’ll build your resume while making a difference in the lives of new students. Sounds good to us!

8. Learning from your peers! As an orientation leader, you’ll be in training sessions with students from all different divisions and backgrounds. Listening to the opinions and experiences of other students when discussing their time at Hampshire can be a great learning experience, and can further expand your understanding of the Hampshire community on the whole.

7. Positive change! Didn’t enjoy your own orientation group experience? As an orientation leader, you’ll have the opportunity to create positive change and help us to improve the new student orientation program. Take what didn’t work for you when you were a first-year and make it better for the new students — they’ll thank you!

6. Repeat performances! Love the welcome ceremony? Want to help introduce students to the climbing wall or host a meet and greet? You can do it all again, and help us to make it even better!

5. Relationship building! You’ll make a lot of new friends during orientation, both with your fellow leaders and the new students coming in. The people you meet could become lifelong friends, all because of the bond you made during the orientation program. (This happens ALL the time!) As an orientation leader, you’ll also become a part of a unique community of orientation staff, a bond that you can carry with you throughout your time at Hampshire.

4. Perks! As an orientation leader, you’ll get to return to campus early, be fed by the orientation program, wear a fancy orientation leader t-shirt, AND receive a stipend. Who knows, you may even get a chance to take a ride on the orientation golf cart with Jessica Ortiz. What’s not to love?

3. Representing Hampshire! Orientation leaders are chosen to be representatives of Hampshire during one of the most important times of the year. As an orientation leader, you’ll represent Hampshire to the community of new students and families, and will have the opportunity to share your experiences with these individuals. It’s an honor to be chosen to represent Hampshire at this crucial time, and something that our leaders are very proud of!

2. It’s fun! Orientation is such a fun time of year, and the positive energy on campus is palpable. It’s warm, it’s sunny, you’re outside, and you’re at Hampshire! Sounds good to us.

1. You know you want to! Seriously, you know you want to, so what are you waiting for? Start your application today by visiting the application website. Learn more about what’s required, the selection timeline, and more! Don’t wait — applications are due on Monday, March 2!

Still have questions? Come to an information session to learn more about the orientation leader position. Sessions will be held on Thursday, February 26 at 4PM and Friday, February 27 at 1PM, both in the Dakin Living Room. Meet Jessica Ortiz and get your questions answered.

In the meantime, feel free to e-mail us at newtohamp@hampshire.edu for more information.

Are you ready? It’s time for our weekly care package giveaway question!

All first and second semester students are eligible to win a care package – just post an answer to the following question in the comments before 11:59 p.m. SUNDAY to be included in the drawing for this week’s care package. The winner will be chosen randomly from all of the respondents Monday morning. Got it? Good!

All first and second semester students are eligible to win a care package – just post an answer to the following question in the comments 11:59 p.m. TONIGHT to be included in the drawing for this week’s care package. The winner will be chosen randomly from all of the respondents tomorrow morning. Ready? Okay!

If you could memorize one book from history in its entirety, which book would you choose?

Happy Thursday, friends. It’s time for the first care package giveaway question of the semester!

All first and second semester students are eligible to win a care package – just post an answer to the following question in the comments before 11:59 p.m. TONIGHT to be included in the drawing for this week’s care package. The winner will be chosen randomly from all of the respondents tomorrow morning. Yay!

If you could choose the person who would play you in a movie about your life, who would you choose?

Walking through the falling snow last Friday morning, I made my way towards the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Having never made the trip to the Carle, I was very excited to go and see what the museum had in store. Inside, the building was bright and airy. I spent time in each of the galleries that morning, eager to see what makes the museum such a prominent attraction in the Pioneer Valley. The West Gallery housed an exhibit entitled “The Art of Eric Carle: Re-Imaged and Re-Imagined,” which displayed multiple drafts of Carle’s work, allowing the viewer to witness the inspiring process he went through while creating. The next two galleries had work from other picture book artists, including Alice Bolam Preston, known for children’s book illustration in the 1910s and 1920s. The East Gallery currently has work from Ludwig Bemelmans, author of the Madeline books. Seeing these works of art spurred a beautiful feeling of nostalgia, I was brought right back to my childhood, thinking about all the evenings spent reading Madeline or The Very Hungry Caterpillar before going to bed. After visiting the galleries, I made my way into the little art studio. I was surrounded by toddlers, we all sat together making animals out of found objects. It was a really beautiful experience going to the Carle museum and being brought back to my childhood, and a little escape from reality that will make me smile for a long time. -KJV

Have YOU visited the Eric Carle Museum yet? Looking for the perfect opportunity? You’re in luck! Campus Leadership and Activities and the Dean of Students Office invite all students to a special dessert reception on Tuesday, February 10 from 7-9 p.m. at the museum. This annual event is not to be missed! Join us for live music, delicious desserts, and a great night of exploring the galleries and other museum spaces.

Questions? Email us at newtohamp@hampshire.edu. We hope to see you there!

Just one more day of classes, friends! Want to celebrate with a free care package? Of course you do!

All first and second semester students are eligible to win a care package – just post an answer to the following question in the comments before 11:59 p.m. TONIGHT to be included in today’s drawing. The winner will be chosen randomly from all of the respondents tomorrow morning. We hope you win!

If you were to be a news correspondent posted to any location in the world, where would you like to go?

All first and second semester students are eligible to win a care package – just post an answer to the following question in the comments before 11:59 p.m. SUNDAY to be included in the drawing for this week’s care package. The winner will be chosen randomly from all of the respondents on Monday morning. Ready? Okay!

If you could suddenly possess an extraordinary talent in one of the arts, what would you like it to be?